Footage released by the NYPD shows the scaffolding perpendicular to the building and jammed through a window on the the 46th floor.

Emergency responders initially got calls about scaffolding spinning at the building, which is under construction. The rescued men work for a window glazing company and were doing inspections when they got stuck.

“As they lowered down the side of the building, the wind caught the scaffolding, spinning it around we believe four times. Each time it banged into the windows, it broke glass,” said FDNY Assistant Chief Roger Sakowich. “When our members first arrived here, the scaffolding was perpendicular to the building, sticking straight out.”

In the face of variable winds, FDNY and EMS workers inside the building used what appeared to be some kind of rope to rotate the scaffolding so that is became parallel to the building, enabling the rescue.

As the scaffolding spun, its cables became twisted. The structure broke several windows between the 42nd and 46th floors, sending glass to the street below, as far as a block away, CBS2’s Janelle Burrell reported. One civilian was hit, but not seriously hurt.

“Somebody yelled ‘Get off the job, there’s glass coming down,’ so we all ran to our muster points that we have to go to,” said construction worker Joe Moraglin.

The workers remained calm, officials said.

“We assisted them through the window. They said ‘We got it, we’ll climb up on our own,'” said NYPD Det. Gregory Welch. “They worked with us. They weren’t victims up there. They were two hardcore construction workers that went for a ride because of Mother Nature. They did a fantastic job up there.”

Fire officials said wind was gusting between 40-50 mph at the time of the incident.

The scaffold was not properly secured when the incident occurred, officials said, and violations may be issued at the end of an investigation.

Drivers in the area faced extensive traffic delays and a heavy presence of emergency personnel.